N182bn Judgement Debt: Ogoni Communities Sue CBN Gov For Contempt

Ogoni communities in Rivers State have sued the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele at the Federal High Court, Abuja, for contempt over N182billion judgement debt.
The sum was awarded against Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), over its oil spillage that affected Ogoniland.
The Ogoni people, represented by Mr Lucious Nwosu (SAN), filed the contempt charge praying the court to commit the CBN governor to prison, for allegedly disregarding a court order that awarded the money to Ogoni people.
When the matter came up, last Wednesday, Nwosu decried the absence of the CBN governor in court, while also arguing that the charge against Emefiele was semi-criminal in nature and requires his presence in court to answer the charge.
However, counsel to Emefiele, Mr Damian Dodo (SAN), informed the court that it was not in the habit of his client to undermine the authority of the court.
He assured the court that his client would do the needful at the appropriate time.
On its part, the oil and gas giant, represented by Mr Olawale Akoni (SAN) informed the court that he had filed a motion praying the court to dismiss the contempt charge or, in the alternative, stay proceedings after taking arguments.
Justice Taiwo Taiwo adjourned the matter until January 26, 2021, and directed Emefiele and other parties in the suit to obey the court.